Lipid test changes and add-on tests now available Lipid test change to support clinicians Lipid requests, provided by Clinical Laboratory Services at QEHB, will now include HDL and calculated LDL result. This additional reporting will support clinicians in having the fullest possible picture of their patient.

From Monday May 6th the QE Laboratories will now be using the Abbott Alinity analysers to provide biochemistry and serology services. The results are largely comparable to the previous Roche results, however some reference ranges and interpretation guidance has changed.

For the core routine analytes the laboratory has adopted the nationally agreed Pathology Harmony reference ranges:

The reference ranges for 

PTH: 1.6 - 7.2 pmol/L

CA199: < 37 KU/L

have changed.

High Sensitive Troponin T has changed to High Senstive Troponin I

1.  “Result is > 99^th centile.  In cases of chest pain this could be indicative of an ACS.  Requires clinical assessment by cardiologist or cardiology nurse practitioner”
2.  “Result indicates a detectable troponin level but  below 99^th percentile.  No evidence of an ACS but a second sample 1-3 hours apart  is required to rule out myocardial infarction.
3. Result indicates no detectable troponin (<5).  If the chest pain was > 6 hours ago this result makes an ACS unlikely and in the absence of high clinical suspicion no further troponin test is required.  

Troponin results cannot be used in isolation to diagnose or rule out an ACS.  Please use the HEART score and refer to cardiologist or cardiology nurse practitioner if advice is required.

QE Labs user survey results published

View here

Add-on tests If extra tests are required which were not already on the request form received, these can be added by sending a new request form to the laboratory. This must have the relevant patient details, date, time and in the clinical details section state: “Add-on test”. The plastic bag should be closed and sealed to avoid confusion about a missing specimen. These tests will be processed as routine. We regret that the laboratory currently has no means of processing urgent add-on tests.

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